After the Stashes decider was washed out last week, fortune favoured both sides as both their respective opponents failed to materialise and thus the decider could be played, this time at the Wok. A solid side was selected on the day that Oasis put their tickets on sale, and doubts were there as to whether two teams would arrive after everyone seemingly logged on to Ticketmaster at 8am and earlier. Everyone except Dave who “was a child of the sixties” and claimed he would watch Status Quo & Meatloaf!!! Do you want to tell him…
Anyway, on to the game itself, Skipper Garratt lost the toss and was asked to bat on a mild but extremely blustery day. Openers Rossington & Kuldeep tried to set about the attack of Ash. Kuldeep managed to avoid a few fielders with some swishes before Rossington missed one that moved away off the pitch and took his off stump for 1. Kuldeep followed shortly after trying his luck one too many times and was pouched at cover. The Skipper joined Bateley at the crease, before he too departed on one leg, toe ending a swipe to point. Harry came out and, despite having his better half plugged in at home to get the vital tickets for Oasis whilst he tried to save the day, departed for a first-ball duck. We were now 26-4. Ram joined Stumpy at the crease and, with some nudging and nurdling, these two put on 60+ with some great running between the wickets. They were getting us to a semi-competitive score before Stumpy was run out as his bat appeared to stick in the ground for a fine 21. Ram soon followed after he was run out with a brilliant direct hit from square leg who had one stump to aim at. It was a quality knock of 45 from Ram, who helped us recover from a poor position. Ryan was then caught behind, but the ball had clearly bounced after the keeper spilled it and he was reprieved [kudos here to square leg umpire Rossington, who spotted the “double catch” and called it straight away -ed.] Dean joined Ryan at the crease, and he sliced a shot for 1 before he was bowled behind his legs for a single. Ryan was then actually caught behind for 16 off the left arm seamer in the final over. I walked out to join Nick who was on 8, and quickly followed Ryan back to the pavilion, edging behind first ball to leave Paul to face the last two balls of the innings [and with said bowler on a hat trick; luckily his next delivery was a wide! -ed.] They scampered a few more runs [including three byes where Nick almost lapped me -ed.] to leave us on 123-9 from our 35 overs.
A splendid tea from Paul was devoured by all, and then we set about trying to win the coveted Stashes. The new ball was taken by Nick & myself. The bowling was kept tightish, but I couldn’t settle against the left handers while Nick struggled at first with his length but then settled down and eventually bowled the opener, before an uncharacteristic drop from Stumpy reprieved the Number 3 earlier on. Ryan replaced me and bowled well, but with no luck at all and finished wicketless from his five overs. Harry entered the attack and suffered slightly at the hands of the umpire who wasn’t quite sure about the no ball law [in fairness, a genuine misunderstanding, not gamesmanship -ed.], and suffered to the tune of four runs. He did however claim the wicket of the remaining opener for 24, before Stumpy shelled another chance as he over ran a top edge and spilled the Number 3 again. And after Ryan had had a chance put to ground, he showed everyone how to catch as he held on at cover off “one ball” Paul, who struck immediately to leave Ash on 76-3 not long after the drinks break. A few more chances came and went in the field as Ram nearly held on to a one-handed spectacular before Kuldeep put down a simpler chance at mid on. Dean then bravely wore one at square leg as a pull was creamed into his knee. With the Number 3 now looking to accelerate while the Number 5 was somewhat more circumspect, it was only natural that I then caught a low one off the slower scoring batsman. Never has a catch been greeted with such lethargy, especially from me as I only take catches of my own bowling! Paul was grateful though as he finished with 2-14 off 6 [bloody good catch, I thought -ed.]
With 20 needed from the final six overs, Ram bowled tidily from the pavilion end and Dean managed to instigate a run out off his bowling as the Number 3’s luck ran out for 35. It came down to 2 runs needed off 12 balls as Skipper Garrat bowled a bit of non-spinning filth to clean up another batsmen trying to hit it into the next county. A wicket maiden indeed. Ram was tasked with bowling the last over trying to defend one run. There was much excitement as the first two were dot balls, but sadly no happy ending for us Stoners as the third ball was swatted for 4 to seal the win… and the StAshes. There was a little chuntering afterwards about the 4 or 5 no balls given that could have been vital, but ultimately we were 30 runs short, and you’re not going to win many games if you put down at least half a dozen good chances in the field.
A couple of beers were had, before awards were distributed. PotD went to Ram for his heroic rescuing of our innings with a fine 45, which was the top score on both sides! Shitbag of the day could have gone to numerous players in the side, but it was decided that it should go to Teflon Dave Bateley who had an extremely rare off day behind the stumps. With the StAshes gone and the cold wind blowing, the season is drawing to an end… Can we finish on high? Until next time… I’m out.
– Rich